despair - ill and breastfeeding ill toddler

[croquet]

For the past fortnight me and DD (1.5) have been very ill with an exceptionally nasty virus. She was nearly weaned off the breast (just a night feed every now and then) but since being ill has refused all food and drink except breastmilk, which she is desperate for all the time. I've given in but now so upset and miserable. I myself am ill and hate hate hate having this huge child sucking my nipples all day -- I've been a very patient and committed breastfeeder but I am now so disgusted by it. I feel so tired! It hurts so much and also she digs her fingers into me, scratches me etc. And also it doesn't send her to sleep immediately either, she is doing it for sessions of about 40 mins a time at the moment.

I am down - I don't know what to do. I would rather cut off my boobs than do it again, like I know I'll have to at bed time.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Oh you have my sympathies. I'm a very happy extended bfer but still hate it if DS is ill and only wants to bf. I just focus on the knowledge that when he won't drink anything else its good to have a healthy liquid he will keep down and which will be bolstering his immune system.

Can you improve bfing manners at all? Take her off when she starts scratching you etc? Or even bundle her up in a lightweight blanket or minimise the bare skin she can get to.

And have you seen the GP? Two weeks is a long time to be ill.

[croquet]

Thank you mines. Yes we did see the GP and he was quite shit dismissive. I've been ill since 3 March with sore throat, fever, fatigue. DD has all this plus red spots (either chicken pox or HF&M). We're finding it hard to recover.

I do feel glad she's getting something good down her but I feel so ill it's hard to believe anything from my body is healthy...

[DIYandEatCake]

I felt a bit like that feeding dd (2 and a bit) when pregnant. Can you distract yourself while she's feeding - watch tv or read or chat to someone on the phone?